Liberty & Cognitive Dissonance

 

Liberty & Cognitive Dissonance

by KrisAnne Hall, JD

 

 

The Southern Poverty Law Center has put me on their “anti-government extremist hate group” list for four years in a row, so far.  I have yet to comprehend how teaching the Constitution, the very document that created government, makes me “anti-government.”  Nor do I understand how teaching historical facts and the words and principles of the founders of America makes me an “extreme hater.”  I am told that I should expect this kind of personal attack from Marxist groups like SPLC.  However, the other day, someone called me an “anarchist” because I write articles that expose the unconstitutionally expanded nature of our government and how that is destroying our Liberty.  This particular instance name calling came from a conservative.  I am not upset with this person and hold no fault with them.  Here is why and here is the thought I would like you to consider:

Most of my writing deals with current laws and their Constitutionality based upon fact, law, and history.  I work very hard to keep opinions out of it.  When the true concept of limited government is presented it causes internal conflict, not just with liberals, but even within “conservative” groups.  

Americans have been, for generations, convinced to accept more and more government intrusion in our lives.  Over the course of these years our government has grown to exercise nearly unlimited power to regulate every aspect of our lives…from the milk and the cereal we eat in the morning to the sheets and bed that we sleep in at night.  We have been conditioned not only to accept this but to believe that we NEED it.  The consequence now is that we are being consumed by these regulations and now have a government with unlimited power of surveillance.  We have those in government that actually believe that “shall not be infringed” can be interpreted to mean, “yes we can make reasonable regulations.”  We have a growing society that believes the Freedom of Speech doesn’t actually mean “freedom” and doesn’t really apply to “everyone.”   New generations could grow just as comfortable even greater intrusions as we are now with cameras on street corners, computer and internet intrusions, and cell phone tapping.

Many Americans have become lazy in luxury, pacified in prosperity, or even simply complacent and compliant in their comfort.  So when we attempt to present the TRUTH about these intrusions upon our Rights and the destruction of our Liberty, because for generations we have been made to feel comfortable and safe within them, it scares people.  But fear does not overrule our Rights and we have an obligation to shine the light of truth so future generations will not pay the price for our apathy, ignorance, or complacence.  Samuel Adams warned: 

“Let us remember that “if we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom.” It is a very serious consideration, which should deeply impress our minds, that millions yet unborn may be the miserable sharers of the event.” The Boston Gazette, 14 October 1771

However, shining a light in a room where no light has been seen for days is painful…but we are talking not about days, this darkness has been consuming America for generations.  Real Liberty seems radical in today’s environment of ubiquitous government presence.  True Liberty seems extreme when Americans have become comfortable with the daily control of government.  Real Liberty will challenge what we have believed to be true our entire lives.  And it may even make people call you names and want to deny this truth.

Please do not get angry with them.  This is what psychologists call “Cognitive Dissonance.”  You should expect it.  Everyone must come about their awakening to Liberty in their own way.  My personal awakening took years.  If you read my story  you will see that I was not born a “Constitutionalist” and had a complicated transformation.  There is hope for those who have been taught to believe lies their entire life.  My story is proof.  Unfortunately some will never come to accept truth at all.  That does not change our responsibility; we have a responsibility to speak truth and seek wisdom.  Be patient with those who resist knowledge.  But more importantly, no matter how much they deny the truth, no matter how many names they call you, DON’T STOP SPEAKING THE TRUTH!

I promise I won’t.  I am no more an anarchist than Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, or James Otis, Jr.  I am not “anti-government,” I just know that our federal government was created to be very limited and specifically defined in its authority, and it must be that way for Americans to have the Liberty promised in our Constitution.  I would love to live in a place where no government is necessary, I just understand the depravity of man will never allow that to be reality.  So I stand with Thomas Paine and believe that “government in its best form is a necessary evil, in its worst form, an intolerable one.”

We can work together to break the Cognitive Dissonance.  We can endeavor to speak truth with love, in patience.  We can refuse to tolerate lies and manipulations in order to have comfort and peace.  We can refuse the dictated narrative and make our voices be heard.   We can say, “if there be trouble, let it be in my day so my child may have peace.”

Pick up your power to boldly proclaim truth at  www.LibertyFirstUniversity.com